Valves



Jan. 13, 1959 M. L. FREEMAN VALVES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1955INVENTOR Mathew L. Freeman ATTORNEY Jall- 1959 M. L. FREEMAN 2,868,220

VALVES Filed Dec. 21, 1855 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 as 4 49 Fig.5

7 INVENTOR Mathew L. Freeman BY /iwww ATTORNEY Jan. 13, 1959 M. L.FREEMAN VALVES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 21, 1955 Jan. 13, 1959 FiledDec. 21, 1955 M. L. FREEMAN VALVES 250 235 32 23/ 2&9 2%

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 2&9 238 INVENTOR Murhew L. Freeman ATTORNEY Jan. 13,1959 M. L. FREEMAN VALVES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.l2

Fig..ll

INVENTOR Mathew L. Freeman ATTORNEY United States Patent VALVES MathewL. Freeman, Houston, Tex.

Application December 21, 1955, Serial No. 554,441

9 Claims. (Cl. 137-219) This invention relates tovalves and. moreparticularly to an in-line type valve. for gas transmission lines or thelike.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved in-linetype valve having a main or block valve means for selectively shuttingoff flow of fluid in the line.

Another object is to provide a valve of the type described having meansfor selectively blowing down the line, either upstream, downstream orsimultaneously both upstream and downstream.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a valve, of the typedescribed, having means forby-passing the block valve means in order toreduce the pressure differential across the block valve means and thusfacilitate opening of the block valve means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve, of the typedescribed, which is operable by fluid pressure to open and close theblock valve means and the blow down means.

A still further object is to provide a valve, of the type described,having a mechanical means for operating the main or block valve means.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent from the reading of the following description of a deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to theaccompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view showing an in-line type valve of the inventionfor controlling the flow of fluid in the flow line;

Figure 2 is a schematic sectionalview of one form of the in-line typevalve showing the main or blocking valve in open position andtheupstream and downstream valves in closed position, whereby the fluidflows normally in the line;

Figure 3 is a view taken on line 4--4 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the blow down valves;

Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of the valve showing the main 01- blocking valve in closed position and theblo'w down valves in closedposition whereby all flow of fluid in the line is stopped;

Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of the valve showing the upstreamblow down valve in open position whereby upstream blow down may beaccomplished;

Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view showing both blow down valves inopen positions whereby the fluid in the line may bypass the main orblocking valve, thus decreasing the pressure differential thereacross;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the in-linetype valve of the invention with the main valve shown in closed positionand the upstream blow down valve in open position;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of another form of the in-linetype valve;

Figure 10 is alongitudinal sectional View of still another form of thein-line-type valve;

Figure 11 is an axial sectional view'of amechanical 2,868,220 PatentedJan. 13, 1959 2 means for opening and. closing the main or. block valveof an in-line type valve; and,

Figure 12 is a view taken on line 12-12 of Figure 11.

The in-line type valve 30 of. the invention may be easily connectedbetween adjacent sections of the line by welding or by means of. theusual flange connections 21, and does not require the conventionalby-pass manifold and valve, and requires only a single blow down valve.The advantages of the in-line type valve thus are very obvious.

The in-line type valve 30 includes a valve body 32, formed of asubstantially tubular outer shell or housing 33 having internallongitudinal ribs 34 which support and hold rigidly a power cylinder 35.The power cylinder and the ribs are provided with radial alignedapertures 36 and 37, respectively, which communicate withthe centralcompartment 38 of the power cylinder and the annular blow downcollecting passage 39 formed by the collar or connecting ring 4% on thevalve body 32. A vent pipe 41 connects the collecting passage 39 to theatmosphere through the vent valve 42when the latter is opened.

The power cylinder is provided with a pair of internal annularpartitions or walls 44 and 45 which slidingly support a downstreamby-pass and blow down piston or valve tube 46 which is provided with anexternal annular piston d7. The piston 47 can be moved in eitherdirection by introducing fluids under pressure selectively into thechambers 48 and 49 on opposite slides of the piston, through properfittings, not shown. in. Figures 2 through 7. The downstream valve tubehas one end closed by a valve plug 50' and has slidingly disposed on it,between the valve plug 50 and the internal wall 44 of the powercylinder, a main valve 52: which closes the open downstream end of thepower cylinder and is adapted to engage the annular valve seat 53 of thevalve body to prevent fiow of line fluid through the longitudinalpassages 54 located outwardly of the power cylinder and between the ribs34. The shoulder 56 of the valve plug 50 engages a correspondinglyshapedvalve seat 57 of the main valve 52 to prevent flow of line fluid betweenthe central chamber 38, through the interior of the downstream valvetube 46 and its lateral apertures 58 located adjacent the valve plug,and the downstream section of the line.

The main valve is movable toward the valve seat 53 to closed position byfluid under pressure admitted to the chamber 60 through suitablefittings, not shown. The main value is moved away from the valve seat 53toward open position when fluid under pressure is admitted to thechamber 48, since the shoulder 56 of the valve plug engages the valveseat 57 when the valve tube is moved away from the main valve seat 53 bypressure acting on the piston 47.

An upstream blow down and by-pass piston or valve tube 64 is slidinglysupported by annular internal walls or partitions 67 and 68 of the powercylinder and provided with. a valve plug 69 on its upstream end whichhas an annular face '70 which is adapted. to engage a correspondinglyshaped valve seat 71 provided by the annular wall 68 of the powercylinder. The upstream valve tube dd is provided with an externalannular piston 72 which is disposed between the annular walls 67 and 68of the power cylinder, so that the upstream valve tube is moved towardopen. position when fluid under pressure is introduced into the chamberbetween the annular wall 2 and the upstream'and downstream valve tubesand their valve plugs are in the closed positions shown in Figure 2. Ifit is now desired to close the main valve to prevent flow of line fluidthrough the pipe line, fluid under pressure is introduced into thechamber 60, while fluid under lesser pressure is introduced into thechamber 48. The pressure or power fluid moves the main valve toward itsvalve seat 53 until the main valve seat is engaged by the main valve.The downstream by-pass or blow down valve tube 46 and its valve plug 50are also moved toward the valve seat 53 since the valve plug shoulder 56is engaged by the seat 57 of the main valve. The various elements of thein-line valve 30 are then in the positions shown in Figure 5 and theline fluid is thus prevented from flowing from the upstream section 20of the line to the downstream section 21 of the pipe line.

If it is then desired to blow down the upstream section 20 of the line,the vent valve 42 is opened and the chamber 75 is vented, while fluidunder pressure is introduced 'into the chamber 74 to act on the piston72 and move the upstream blow down or by-pass valve tube in a directionto move the valve plug 69 away from its valve seat 71 so the line fluidmay flow from the upstream section 20 through the lateral aperture 78 ofthe upstream valve tube into the central bore thereof and thence to thecentral chamber 38. From the central chamber the line fluid escapesthrough the apertures 36 and 37 to the collecting passage 39, and fromthe collecting passage 39 the line fluidflows into the vent pipe 41 andthence through the vent valve 42 to the atmosphere. The parts of thevalve are then in the positions shown in Figure 6.

If it is desired, to vent the downstream section 21 of the line, thechamber 48 is partly vented and fluid under pressure is introduced intothe chamber 49 to act on the piston 47 and move the downstream blow downor bypass valve tube 46 in a direction to move the valve plug 50 1 awayfrom its valve seat 57. Thus, line fluid may flow from the downstreamsection 21 through the lateral apertures 58 of the downstream valve tubeinto the central bore thereof, and thence to the central chamber 38.From the central chamber the line fluid escapes through the apertures 36and 37 to the collecting passage 39, and from the collecting passage theline fluid flows into the vent pipe 41 and thence through the eventvalve 42 to the atmosphere. t

It will be evident that the blow down or by-pass valves may be openedsimultaneously or alternately, as may be desired. If openedsimultaneously while the vent valve 42 is open, the upstream anddownstream sections of the line will be vented simultaneously.

It is apparent that the vent valve 42 may be left open, and so long asthe valve tubes 46 and 64 are closed no fluid will escape. Also eithervalve tube may then be opened to vent fluids from their respectivesections of the transmission line, or both may be opened simultaneously.

If it is desired to equalize pressure on both sides of the main valve52, the vent valve 42 is closed and both the downstream and the upstreamvalve tubes 46 and 64 are then moved to open positions. Line fluid willthen pass through the lateral apertures 78 of the upstream valve tube 64into its bore, thence to the central chamber 38, and from the centralchamber into the bore of the downstream valve tube 46 and through itslateral apertures 58 to the downstream section 21 of the line. The valveparts are then in the positions shown in Figure 7.

The general term fluid under pressure has been used in describing theoperation of the valve, and it is to be understood that this operatingfluid may be hydraulic fluid from an extraneous source of supply andcontrolled by suitable valves, it may be bottled gas similarly storedand controlled, or it may be fluid or gas taken from the transmissionline through a suitable manifold and control system for acting on thevalve parts to accomplish the actuation and operation described.

- Simple pilot controls may be utilized for controlling the direction,admission and release of the operating fluid to the various chambers forremote control of the operation of the valve, and the operation may bemade automatic by providing suitable pilot controls connected with thefluids in the transmission line upstream and downstream of the valve, sothe controls may be set to cause the operating fluid to close the valvein response to a predetermined rate of pressure drop or increase or uponthe pressure in the line reaching a predetermined value or figure.

It will now be seen that a new and improved in-line type valve for fluidtransmission lines or pipe lineshas been illustrated and described,which includes a valve ,body 32 connected between adjacent sections ofthe pipe line and a power cylinder disposed in the valve body and havingits upstream end closed by'a valve plug 69 of an upstream valve tube 64and its downstream end closed by a main valve and a valve plug 50 of adownstream valve tube 46 on which the main valve is mounted. It willalso be seen that the main valve is movable to engage a seat 53 of thevalve body to prevent flow of line fluid in the passages between thepower cylinder and the valve body 32. It will also be seen that thepower cylinder is provided with a chamber into which fluid underpressure may be introduced to selectively move the main valve, and theupstream and downstream valve tubes, whereby line fluid may beselectively directed to a vent pipe from either the upstream ordownstream sides of the line or may be permitted to flow through thepower cylinder and the valve tubes from the upstream section of the lineto the downstream section even though the main valve is in closedposition.

Figure 8 shows the structural details of the in-line type of valvehereinbefore described and schematically illustrated in Figures 2through 7, the construction and operation of the valve of Figure 8 beingidentical with the valve schematically illustrated in Figures 2 through7. The valve includes a valve body 101 which may be of castconstruction, having a plurality of internal longitudinal ribs 102 whichsupport a power cylinder 103. The power cylinder is provided at itsupstream end with an end plug 104 having an annular flange 105 which isdis-posed between and abuts the upstream end of the power cylinder andinwardly projecting shoulders 106 of the ribs. ,The end plug 104 thus isconfined against movement and also limits upstream movement of the powercylinder in the valve body. An O-ring 104a seals between the end plugand the power cylinder to pre- I vent passage of fluid therebetween. Aplurality of elongate set screws 107 extending through threaded bores inthe ribs 102 engage in suitable recesses in the exterior otthedownstream end of the power cylinder to lock it immovable in the valvebody. The upstream blow down or by-pass piston or valve tube 108 extendsthrough the axial bore of the end plug 104 and is provided with anannular piston 109 held in place by snap rings 110 which are disposed inannular grooves in the valve tube. O-rings 111a seal between the pistonand the power cylinder and an O-ring 111b seals between the piston andthe valve tube. The valve tube 108 is also supported by an annularpartition wall or plate 112 secured in place in the power cylinder bysnap rings 113 which are disposed in annular grooves in the bore of thecylinder. The valve tube 108 is provided with a plug 114 having ashoulder 11411 which engages the valve seat 1141: in the outer end ofthe bore of the end plug 104. The downstream blow down or by-pass pistonor valve tube 115 is supported by annular partition walls or plates 1'16and 117 secured fixedly in the bore of the power cylinder 103 by-snaprings 118 disposed in annular grooves provided in the bore of the powercylinder. A piston 120 is disposed between the walls 116 and 117 and issecured to the downstream valve tube by snap rings 121 engaging insuitable annular grooves formed in the exterior. surface of said valvetube. O'rings 122 seal between the annular walls and the cylinder andbetween the annular walls and the valve tube.

The main valve 125 is slidingly mountedon the downstream valve tube 115and seats on. a valve seat 126 held in place in the body 101 by ananchor ring 127. The main valve may be provided with an annular insertor sealing member 128 which engages the valve seat 126. The downstreamvalvetube 115 is provided at its downstream end with a valve plug 129having a shoulder 130a which engages a valve seat 131a provided by themain valve.

Chevron packing members 132a are employed to seal between themain. valveand the power cylinder and the downstream valve tube, and similarpacking members 132b seal between the main valve and mid-downstreamvalve tube and between the upstream valve tube 108 and the end plug 104.

The power cylinder has a central chamber 130 with which the inner endsof the valve tubes communicate. Lateral registering ports 131 and 132 ofthe power cylinder and the valve body, respectively, lead from the mainchamber to an annular collecting passage 133. A vent pipe 134, to whicha vent valve such as. the valve 42, may be connected, communicates withthe collecting passage.

Fluid under pressure may be introduced into the chamber 140 between themain valve 125 and the annular valve 116 through a tubular passage 145which extends through one of the ribs of the valve body and through thewall of the power cylinder. Similar passages open into the chamber 141between the wall 116 and the piston 120, into the chamber 142 betweenthe piston 120 and the wall 117, into thechamber 143 between the plate112 and the piston 109, and into the chamber 1-44 between the piston 109and the end plug 104, and fluid under pressure may thus be introducedinto each of the chambers for actuating the valve tubes 108 and 115.

Lateral apertures 147 in the wall of the valve tube 108 car the plug 114provide for flow of fluids through the bore of the valve tube when theplug is in the open position. Lateral apertures 148 in the wall of thevalve tube 115 near the plug 129 likewise provide for fluid flow throughthe bore of that valve tube when the plug is in the open position.

'It will be apparent that the valve 100 functions in the same manner asthe valve 30 previously described. Briefly, the main valve 125 is closedby admitting fluid under pressure into the chamber 140 while at the sametime admitting fluid under lesser pressure into chamber 141.

The downstream valve tube is'moved to open positionby admitting fluidunder pressure into chamber 142 while venting chamber 141. Similarly,the upstream valve tube is moved to open position by introducin fluidunder pressure into the chamber 143 while venting the chamher 144. Thevalve tubes can be moved to closed positions by admitting fluid pressureinto the chambers 1'41 and 144 while ventingthe chambers 1'42 'and 143.Also, the main valve 125 is opened by pressure introduced into thechamber 141 to act on the piston 120 and, by means of the valve tube115, to pull said main valve open.

All parts of this valve and its operating mechanism may be removedthrough the downstream end of the body 101, the ring 127 being removableto permit the valve seat 126m be removed, and the set screws 107 beingremovable to permit the power cylinder 103 and the parts mounted thereinto be removed. This structure facilitates assembly, servicing, repairand replacement of all valve parts.

In Figure 9 is shown another form ofthe in-line type valve wherein thevalve 160 comprises a power cylinder 161Yheld in position in a tubularshell 163 by ribs 164 which are welded to the shell and the cylinder. Acollector ring 165 is welded about the shell 163 to form the collectingchamber- 1-66. Sleeves 167 are welded to the shell and the cylinder andserve as communicating means between the central chamber 168 of thepower cylinder and the collecting chamber 166.

The tubular shell may 'be constructed of several cylindrical sectionswelded together at their abutting ends, and having reducing swageportions 203 welded to the opposite ends of the cylindrical portion ofthe shell and connecting flange members or neck portions 204 welded tothe small outer ends of the swag-e portions.

The upstream end of the power cylinder is provided with an end plug 168secured to an annular well 169 by bolts 1'70. The annular partitions orwalls 169 and 171 are secured. to the power cylinder by snap rings 172which fit in internal annular grooves in the bore of the power cylinder.A piston 173 is similarly secured to the upstream valve tube 174, andthe end plug 175 of said valve tube is adapted to engage the powercylinder end plug168. Tubular fittings 176 and 177 serve to introducefluid into and vent fluid from the chambers 178 and 179, respectively,on either side of the piston.

The downstream valve tube 182 is supported by annu.- lar partitions orwalls 183 and 184 secured in the power cylinder by snap rings 185. Apiston 188 is secured to the downstreamvalve tube and is slidable inthebore of the power cylinder between the annular walls 133 and'184.

A main valve 190 is slidingly mounted on the outer or downstream endportion of the downstream valve tube 182 and incudes a main cylindricalsleeve section 191 having an annular nose member 192 secured thereto bybolts 193. A preloaded helical spring 194 surrounds the valve tubewithin the sleeve section 191 and is confined between the nose 192 and aflange ring 195 held in position on the exterior of the valve tube by asnap ring 196'. The spring biases the downstream valve tube 182 towardclosed position so that a fluid in the chamber 197 between the piston188 and the wall 183 must exert a predetermined pressure against thepiston 1-88 before any movement of the valve tube 182 relative to themain valve can take place. The downstream valve tubehas an end plug 193formed with an external annular shoulder 199 which seats against theseat 200 in the bore of the nose of the main valve. The main valve has apiston head 202 at its inner end which is slidable in the bore of thepower cylinder. The downstream valve tube is slidable in the bores ofthepiston head and nose member. Chevron type packing members 201a sealbetween the main valve and the power cylinder and similar packingmembers 2011? seal between the piston head of the main valve and thedownstream valve tube.

The nose portion of the main valve is movable into the bore of thedownstream neck portion or flange 204 to close off flow through thevalve 160 when fluid under pressure is simultaneously introduced intothe chamber 205 between the main valve piston head and the annular wall184, and into the chamber 197. The packing members 201a on the noseportion of the main valve seal against the bore wall of the neck portionto elfect the closure. A smaller pressure must be introduced into thechamber 197 than the chamber 205 in order that the force exerted by thespring 194 not be overcome, otherwise the valve tube 182 might be causedto move to open position. Fluid under pressure is conducted into and outof the chamber 205 through a tubular fitting 206 which extends throughapertures in the outer shell 163 and power cylinder. A similarlypositioned tubular fitting 207 provides for conducting fluid into andout of. the chamber 208 between the wall 184 and the piston 188. in thedownstream valve tube, and a like fitting 209 conducts fluid into andout of the chamber 197.

The provision of the preloaded spring 194 permits application of fluidpressure both to the main valve and to the valve tube 132 when it isdesired to close the main. valve. This is advantageous where thepressure of the power fluid is limited since it provides for utilizingboth.

the pressure acting on the main valve piston head and the pressureacting on the valve tube piston 188 to efiec- 220 comprising a valvebody 221 having a plurality of radially spaced longitudinal internalribs 221a which abut and support a power cylinder which is held inposition therein by a plurality of set screws 222 mounted in suitableapertures formed .in a plurality of the ribs and engaging recesses inthe exterior of the power cylinder. Secured to the upstream end of thepower cylinder is a plug 223 which includes a closure disk or wall 224held in position by a snap ring 225 and'a dome shaped deflector 226secured to the closure disk by a bolt 227. The deflector directs thefluid flowing through the valve outwardly between the power cylinder andthe valve body and tends to decrease turbulence.

A main valve 229 has the downstream end of a piston rod 230 threadedaxially into a suitable bore therein. The piston rod is supported by anannular partition or wall 231 held stationary by snap rings 232 whichsecure it in place in the bore ofthe power cylinder. A piston 233 issecured on the upstream end of the piston rod and is slidably disposedin the bore of the power cylinder between the closure disk 224 and theannular partition or wall 231. The main valve has an annular sealingmember 235 held in place by a nose 236 which is connected to the mainvalve by the bolt 237 in such a mannet that the nose may movelongitudinally of the main valve to compress the sealing member when thenose engages the valve seat 238 which is secured in the downstream endof the valve body by a split retainer ring 239. Packing rings 236a sealbetween the nose and main valve. A bushing 240 and a connecting flange241 are also positioned at the downstream end of the body for connectingthe valve in a fluid flow line. Packing rings 242 seal between the valveseat 238 and the body and between the bushing 240 and the body.

In use, the valve 220 is connected in a fluid transmission line andfluid pressure is admitted through the fitting 244 into the chamber 243between the partition wall 231 and the piston 233 to act on the pistonto move the valve 229 to open position against the pressure exerted bythe spring 245. The spring tends to hold the valve in closed positionsince it is confined between and bears against the upstream end of thevalve 229 and :a disk 246 engaging one of the split retainer rings 232.The fitting 247 communicates with the chamber 249 between the partitionwall and the main valve, while the fitting 248 communicates with thechamber 250 between the closure disk 224 and the piston 233, and thesefittings vent their respective chambers when the piston moves the mainvalve to open position. The main valve 229 will thus stay open onlywhile fluid under pressure is admitted into the chamber 243, and shouldthis pressure ever fail 284 of a mount disk 285. The retainer rings areheld against lateral displacement by snap rings 286 and are held againstrotary motion by keys 287 which fit in corresponding slots in the disk285 and the retainer rings. The disk 285 itself is held in place in thepower cylinder 276 by snap rings 289 and is held against rtation by akey 288 which fits in corresponding slots in the disk and in the powercylinder. Screws 290 are threaded in suitable bores in the retainerrings 282 and 283 and at their inner ends attach to keys 291 which slidein the longitudinal slot 292 in the operating shaft 281 in order toprevent rotation of the shaft. The retainer rings are also provided withslots which receive the outer portions of the keys 291 to furtherprevent rotation of the operating shaft.

The operating shaft is moved longitudinally by means of the internallythreaded gear 294 which is threaded onthe shaft and is rotatably heldbetween and by the opposed annular flanges 295 on the inner faces of theretainer rings by means of a pair of ball bearing assembles 296. Theouter periphery of the gear 294 is toothed, and its teeth areengaged bya worm gear 297 mounted in a transverse bore 298 in the disk 285 andheld therein by snap rings 298a. The worm gear is keyed on the inner endof a shaft 299 which isjournalled in the valve body 275 and extends intothe transverse bore 298 through a suitable aperture in the powercylind'er 276, as shown in Figure 11.

It will now be apparent that when the shaft 299 is rotated in onedirection by means of its hand wheel 300, the worm gear 297 will rotatethe gear 294 in one direction and thus cause the shaft 281 to movelongitudinally in one direction, whereby the flange 280 on the end ofsaid shaft engages the snap ring 305 in the bore of the spring 245automatically closes the valve 229, making the valve 220 and itsoperation of the fail-safe type. Also, fluid pressure may be introducedinto the chambers 249 and 250 to assist the spring in positively closingthe valve. The chamber 243 would in this case be vented.

In Figures 11 and 12 a mechanical means for operating an in-line typevalve is shown in which the valve body 275 is connected in the line inthe same manner as the valves previously described and has a powercylinder 276 secured in the valve body between the ribs 277 thereof.

A main valve (not shown) for closing the valve is mounted on one end ofthe piston rod or tube 278 whose other end is provided with a cap ring279 threaded thereon which engages the flange 280 provided on the end ofa threaded operating shaft 281.

The thread operating shaft is supported by a gear 294 rotatably mountedbetween a pair of retainer rings 282 and 283 which are secured in thecentrtal aperture the piston rod 278 to close the valve- When the shaftis rotated in the opposite direction, the shaft 281 will be movedlongitudinally in the opposite direction to engage the flange 280 withthe cap ring 279 to open the valve. By spacing the snap ring 305 asufficient distance into the bore of the piston rod, a lostmotionconnection is provided which will permit the manual operating mechanismto be set in a center position to allow the valve to be operated byfluid pressure. In such case, the manual operating mechanism is merelyan auxiliary safety positive operating means for closing stream anddownstream blow downs of the line as well as the closing of the line. Itis further apparent that all forms of the valve are adapted for remoteor automatic control of their operation.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, andchanges in the details of the constructions illustrated may be made bythose skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A valve of thetype described including: a valve body having a flow passage andconnectible in a fluid transmission line for transmitting fluid from theupstream side of the valve body to the downstream side; a main valvemember in said valve body for closing said flow passage of said valvebody and preventing flow of line fluid through said passage between saidupstream and downstream sides; means for actuating said main valvemember to close said flow passage; and means,

for selectively venting said upstream and downstream sides of the lineto atmosphere while said flow passage is closed; said last mentionedmeans including a vent valve for connecting the interior of said valvebody to the atmosphere, a valve means for selectively connecting theupstream side of the line to the interior of said valve body, andseparate valve means providing a flow passage through said main valvemember and selectively connecting the downstream side of the line to theinterior of said valve body.

2. A valve of the type described including: a valve body having a flowpassage and connectible in a fluid transmission line for transmittingfluid from the up stream side of the valve body to the downstream side;a main valve member for closing said flow passage of said valve body andpreventing flow of line fluid through said passage between said upstreamand downstream sides; means for actuating said main valve member toclose said flow passage; individually operable means for selectivelyconnecting said upstream and downstream sides of the line to theinterior of said valve body while said flow passage is closed; and avent means for selectively connecting the interior of said main valvemember to the atmosphere.

3. A valve of the type described including: a valve body having a flowpassage and connectible in a fluid transmission line for transmittingfluid from the upstream side of the valve body to the downstream side; amain valve member for closing said flow passage of said valve body andpreventing flow of line fluid between said upstream and downstreamsides; means for actuating said main value member to close said flowpassage; individually operable means for selectively connecting saidupstream and downstream sides of the line to the interior of said valvebody which said main flow passage is closed, said means including avalve means for selectively connecting said upstream side of the line tothe interior of said valve body; and a vent means for selectivelyconnecting the interior of said main valve to the atmosphere; saidactuating means and said individually operable means being operable byfluid under pressure.

4. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectiblebetween adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinderdisposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluidpassage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valvemeans closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and movable toopen position to connect the upstream section to the exterior of saidpower cylinder;

a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end of said powercylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluid passage; asecond valve means mounted in said main valve and movable to openposition to connect said downstream section of the line to the interiorof said power cylinder; and valve means for connecting the interior ofsaid power cylinder to the atmosphere.

5. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectiblebetween adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinderdisposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluidpassage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valvemeans closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and movable toopen position to connect the upstream section to the exterior of saidpower cylinder; a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end ofsaid power cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluidpassage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and movable toopen position to connect said downstream section of the line to theinterior of said power cylinder; and valve means for connecting theinterior of said power cylinder to the atmosphere; said first valvemeans having a piston movable in said power cylinder, when subjected tofluid under pressure, to move said valve means between open and closedposition.

6. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectiblebetween adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinderdisposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluidpassage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valvemeans closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and movable toopen position to connect the upstream section to the exterior of saidpower cylinder; a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end ofsaid power cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluidpassage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and movable toopen position to connect said downstream section of the line to theinterior of said power cylinder; and valve means for connecting theinterior of said power cylinder to the atmosphere; said first valvemeans having a piston movable in said power cylinder when subjected tofluid under pressure to move said valve means between open and closedposition; said second valve means having a piston movable in said powercylinder when subjected to fluid under pressure to move said valve meansbetween open and closed positions.

'7. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectiblebetween adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinderdisposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluidpassage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valvemeans closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and movable toopen position to connect the upstream section to the exterior of saidpower cylinder; a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end ofsaid power cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluidpassage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and movable toopen position to connect said downstream section of the line to theinterior of said power cylinder; and valve means for connecting theinterior of said power cylinder to the atmosphere; said first valvemeans having a piston movable in said power cylinder, when subjected tofluid under pressure, to move said valve means between open and closedposition; said main valve being movable to closed position whensubjected to fluid under pressure.

8. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectiblebetween adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinderdisposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluidpassage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valvemeans closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and including ahollow valve tube having lateral ports open to the upstream section whenthe first valve means is in open position and having a piston slidablein said power cylinder for moving said first valve means, the inner endof-said valve tube opening in an interior chamber of said powercylinder; a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end of saidpower cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluidpassage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and including ahollow valve tube having lateral ports open to the downstream sectionwhen the second valve means is in open position and having a pistonslidable in said power cylinder for moving said second valve means, theinner end of said valve tube opening in an interior chamber of saidpower cylinder; means for selectively subjecting said pistons to fluidpressure to move said valve means between open and closed position, andmeans for selectively opening said interior chamber to the atmosphere.

9. A valve of the type described including: a valve body connectiblebetween adjacent sections of a fluid transmission line; a power cylinderdisposed in said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide a fluidpassage between said power cylinder and said valve body; a first valvemeans closing the upstream end of said power cylinder and including ahollow valve tube having lateral ports open to the upstream section whenthe first valve 11 means is in open position and having a pistonslidable in said power cylinder for moving said first valve means, theinner end of said valve tube opening in an interior chamber of saidpower cylinder; a main valve movably mounted in the downstream end ofsaid power cylinder and movable outwardly therefrom to close said fluidpassage; a second valve means mounted in said main valve and including ahollow valve tube having lateral ports open to the downstream sectionwhen the second valve means is in open position and having a pistonslidable in said power cylinder for moving said second valve means, theinner end of said valve tube opening in an interior chamber of saidpower cylinder; means for selectively subjecting said pistons to fluidpressure to move said valve means between open and closed position; saidmain valve having piston means for movingit to closed position;resilient means biasing said secon valve means toward closed position;and means for selectively opening said interior chamber to theatmosphere.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,387,446 Astier Aug. 16, 1921 1,916,384 Newberg July 4, 1933 1,925,958Giles Sept. 5, 1933 2,095,410 Diescher Oct. 12, 1937 2,184,513 CladeDec. 26, 1939 2,297,597 White Sept. 29, 1942 2,725,891 Bourguignon Dec.6, 1955 2,731,033 Cable Jan. 17, 1956 2,756,771

Spencer July 31, 1956

